Essentials of Animal Breeding. 



31 



LIVESTOCK IMPROVEMENT. 



GRADING UP. 



The process of improving native stock by breeding the females to 

 purebred males is termed grading up. The first cross is usually a 



Value of Pure Blood. 



FIG. 23. Barred Plymouth Rock male used 

 for the first cross on mongrel hens such 

 as the one shown in the preceding 

 illustration. 



Value of Pure Blood. 



FIG. 24. First-cross pullet of mongrel hen 

 shown in figure 22 and sired by male 

 shown in figure 23. 



Value of Pure Blood. 



FIG. 25. Second-cross pullet. Size, con- 

 formation, and color of pattern have 

 been greatly improved. 



Value of Pure Blood. 



FIG. 26. Third-cross pullet. Fanciers 

 who did not know how she was bred 

 would call this pullet a good representa- 

 tion of the breed. 



very noticeable improvement over the native stock. When the 

 females of this mating are bred to a male of the same breed, greater 



